All About Cork: Northside theatre staff named Cork Persons of the Month

Staff members at Blackpool's Graffiti Theatre have been named as the winners of this month’s Cork Persons of the Month award.

In celebration of Graffiti Theatre Company's 40th anniversary, CEO Niall Cleary and founder Emelie FitzGibbon have been named as the winners for August for their decades of exceptional work in children's arts education and theatre.

Mr Cleary has served as CEO of Graffiti since 2018.

Under his leadership, Graffiti has expanded its creative learning programmes, theatre productions, and initiatives that celebrate the voices and creativity of young people across Cork.

"I'm honoured to receive this recognition alongside Emelie, whose pioneering work laid the foundation for Graffiti to become a nationally renowned arts organisation for children," said Mr Cleary.

"The arts have an unmatched ability to nurture curiosity, build confidence, and inspire the next generation."

Emelie FitzGibbon founded Graffiti in 1984 with the mission of ensuring every child has access to arts and culture.

All aboard for a busy week of activities across Cork

Art Link seeks drama facilitator

Blackpool-based Cork Community Art Link (CCAL) is seeking a physical theatre and drama facilitator with an interest and understanding of community art and arts in varied social contexts, for eight weeks in the lead up to the Dragon of Shandon parade on October 31 as well as eight weeks through November and December.

CCAL said: “ For our project based programme, our drama facilitator would run evening workshops with the general public once a week as well as doing one workshop with each of our three facilitated community groups.

“We are seeking an enthusiastic, energetic and passionate drama/street theatre facilitator who is committed to a unique way of performing in the public space as well as working with diverse people and communities.

“CCAL pays CETB rates.”

You can email your CV to manager@corkcommunityartlink.com. Workshops are scheduled to start early September.

Classes at Blackpool Community Centre announced

Dates have now been announced for classes at Blackpool Community Centre and the local area.

Would you like to learn how to cycle, or to have more confidence cycling? Starting Monday, September 2, for five weeks you can do so at 10am for beginners and 11am for people wanting to gain confidence.

Dance classes for over 60s are back at Blackpool Community Centre from 2-3pm from October 1. ‘Move with Music’ returns with dance tutor Maeve Kelleher on October 1, 15, 29 and November 26.

If dancing isn’t your thing, sing along with the HAZ Band for over 60s at Blackpool Community Centre on September 1 and 24, October 8 and 22 and November 5 and 19 at 3pm.

Chair exercises are a great way to get fit and you can strengthen with Sandra at Roches Buildings Resource Centre on September 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 11:30am – 12:30am.

Healthy Food Made Easy is a community cooking programme which will help you to improve your cooking skills, eating behaviours and nutrition knowledge. Register now for a six-week course running in autumn at Blackpool Community Centre.

Minding your wellbeing aims to help you develop a positive outlook by looking after your mental health and wellbeing. The programme provides an opportunity for you to learn more about: mindfulness, gratitude, self-care, resilience. It’s back in Autumn 2024 in the Blackpool area.

A workshop is being run in September for Green Ribbon month.

Book into the ‘Little Bag of Hope’ workshop, and make a thoughtful, meaningful and special keepsake gift. It will be sure to bring positivity, comfort and a smile. Take away your little bag after the workshop on Friday September 13 from 11am – 1pm. Refreshments are provided. There is no charge but booking essential.

All of the above health activities are free of charge. To register or if you have any questions contact Liz Madden, community health worker, on 087-6977942.

Cork Arts Theatre play

Making A Show Of Myself by Mary Kate O’Flanagan comes to Cork Arts Theatre this Wednesday to Friday.

The venue said: “Mary Kate O’Flanagan, an Irish raconteur shares the most ridiculous, hilarious and tragic episodes of her life, showing there’s a story in every stumble and a little magic in every story.

“Making A Show of Myself is on tour around Ireland following a sell-out first run in November/December 2023 at Dublin’s historic Smock Alley Theatre. This piece of theatre is a moving testimony to the Irish gift for storytelling, by one of our most celebrated storytellers."

"Recounting her most ridiculous and embarrassing episodes and showing how making them into stories allowed her to find the gift in each of them, Mary Kate entertains while inviting audience to consider how they tell their own stories. This play shows how each of us shapes our own narratives and how they shape us in return.”

For tickets see www.corkartstheatre.com.

Have Blackpool, Shandon or Ballyvolane news to share? Contact robert.mcnamara@theecho.ie